Bowing for the 1955 model year, the second-generation Chevy Bel Air combined sharp new styling with a substantial list of standard equipment. The Bel Air came with full carpet, chrome headliner arches (in the hardtop version), chrome spears on the front fenders, polished stainless window trim, full wheel covers, and gold-tone “Bel Air” script. Standard power came from the 265 cubic-inch Small Block V8 that made 162 horsepower. The Power Pack option would boost power to 180 ponies. Later in the model year, the Super Power Pack option would bump that figure to 195 horsepower.
The second-generation Chevy Bel Air was a smashing success courtesy of attractive styling, solid performance, and considerable comfort and convenience features. This was proven by the nearly 801,000 units sold across all the Bel Air versions. That success would continue through the 1956 and 1957 model years, with 692,530 and 720,356 units sold, respectively.
Our feature 1957 Chevy Bel Air sedan is a bit of a unicorn. The odometer shows just 14,529 miles from new. It is unrestored, finished in Onyx Black with a white hardtop over a red and black interior that appears nearly new, as it has been protected with clear plastic seat covers. The dash is covered in a rare optional factory dashpad. Adding to the uniqueness of the Bel Air is its rare fuel injected 283 cubic inch Small Block V8 and column-mounted three-speed manual transmission. The Bel Air is optioned with a pushbutton radio, in-dash clock, tinted glass, front and rear bumper guards, dual spotlights, whitewall tires, and spinner wheel covers.
Under the hood of the 1957 Chevy Bel Air is a nearly spotless engine bay that is home to the 283 cube Small Block V8 fed by the Rochester mechanical fuel injection unit, making this four-door a true performer. The battery has been fitted with a cutoff switch.
Included in the sale is the owner’s manual, original sales contract, and GM Payment Plan book.
This exceptional 1957 Chevy Bel Air will cross the Mecum Auctions block at their Indianapolis, Indiana event happening May 10th through the 18th.
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Comments
Another impressive detail of this article is that GM managed to build 800,000 cars, in one year, with a lot of human labor. And that was just one model.. I seriously doubt that with the cost involved for manufacturing tooling today that GM would want to commit the financial resources to such an endeavor. I do really hope that one day, GM will reinvent the a sedan for the masses and figure out how to keep it: aka, Camry, Accord…
My parents had a ’57 4dr in the same color choices, 220HP Powerpack & Power-glide. Turned 81MPH in high 17’s at SLC Dragstrip before I blew the transmission. Relegated to my own ’51 Chev thereafter and I had to pay for the trans. I suspect this one had the solid lifter 283HP available only with manual transmission as the 250 HP FI engine was the max for Power-glide models. Great car and the chicks loved it.
Wow! Where was this one hiding all these years? We could never design and build the machines and change them every model year to do what those old timers, machinists, tool and die etc. did back then.
absolutely gorgeous. and a marvel of automation and technology? 1957 was a good year, and my birth year…hmmm; coincidence?